The Center for Development and Training of Public Service (ATAK)

In 2002, the Center of Continuing Studies was established in the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, with the incentive to group together all the expertise in the field of training in the Academy In 2005, the Center of Continuing Studies of the Academy and the Centre for Public Service Training and Development under the jurisdiction of the State Chancellery (formerly the Institute of Public Administration of Estonia) were merged. The new structural unit is called the Centre for Public Service Training and Development, or ATAK, and its aim is to provide comprehensive service of continuing education throughout the entire civil service.

Fields of training

ATAK is aimed at state and local government officials, who are offered continuing education predominantly in the field of law, public administration, management, personnel management and several specialty-specific professional skills. Training is mainly provided in the form of short courses and of in house training sessions, but there are also many long-term development programs. Good examples are procedure related training of supervisory officials and the training of rural municipality secretaries and city secretaries.

International cooperation

ATAK is also actively involved in international co-operation. Participation in the cooperation networks of the continuing education centers of public administration of the Baltic countries and the meetings in this context have become a tradition. Annual familiarization of the work of our other European colleagues and exchange of experience is carried out.

Training programs and educators

Training programs are compiled in close cooperation with the contracting entity and thus unique, based on the needs of the specific organization. The educators are both recognized lecturers of the Academy of Security Sciences and practitioners from civil service. Over the years, ATAK has developed a stable and highly valued network of lecturers and cooperation partners. We should highlight the close cooperation with the Public Administration and Public Service Department of the Ministry of Finance (formerly the Department of Civil Service of State Chancellery).

Flexibility of training programs

In ATAK trainings, in particular the flexibility in compilation of our training program, and organizing the training, the emphasis on practical skills and directing the lecturers towards the strategies supporting this approach is especially highly recognized.